1/29/08

Oh how I wish I was sitting at the meeting in Israel where they decided that it would be right to apologize to the Beatles (well at least to the two remaining live ones) and invite them to come perform in honor of the 60th anniversary of the State.

"Let's tell the world that we insulted the Beatles in 1965 and now we want to make up with them, 43 years later."

"What could be more a appropriate way to celebrate the 60th year of the State of Israel!"

Surviving members of the Beatles are being invited to perform at Israel's 60th birthday bash in May - 43 years after they were banned by the Jewish state.

The Beatles were booked to appear in Israel in 1965 but government officials refused to grant the necessary permits, claiming the band and their amplified music could corrupt the morals of Israeli youth.

Israel's ambassador to London, Ron Prosor, is expected to give a letter of apology to John Lennon's sister Julia Baird at the Beatles Story museum in Liverpool.

Copies of the letter will also be sent to relatives of late guitarist George Harrison and to survivors Sir Paul McCartney, 65, and Ringo Starr, 67.

The letter says: "We should like to take this opportunity to correct the historic omission which, to our great regret, occurred in 1965, when you were invited to Israel.

"We should like to see you sing in Israel."

In Jerusalem, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel confirmed that Mr Prosor would meet Ms Baird and invite her to Israel for the gala marking Israel's founding in May 1948.